UN Research and Training Institutes

The various research and training institutes were established by the General Assembly to perform independent research and training. One former institute, the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), was merged with other elements of the United Nations system into a new organization, UN Women, in January 2011.

The UN Institute for Disarmament Research( UNIDIR) is an autonomous body of the UN, established by the General Assembly to carry out independent research on disarmament and related international security issues.

The UN Institute for training and Research (UNITAR) was established "for the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the United Nations in achieving the major objectives of the Organization'' through extensive training and research (UNITAR Statute). Operating as an autonomous body within UN system, the Institute provides short-term executive training to Members States' national and local government officials, and representatives of civil society and the private sector.

The UN Inter-regional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is one of five UN research and training institutes. It was created to help inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in crime prevention and criminal justice. It does this through applied research, training, technical cooperation, field activities and the collection, exchange and dissemination of information.

Since 1 January 2002 (A/RES/55/278), the UN System Staff College(UNSSC) has operated as a knowledge-management and learning institutions to serve UN organisations without duplicating their learning and training activities.

The UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) is an autonomous body of the UN that was established in 1963 by a decision of the Secretary-General (ST/SGB/126) with a mandate to conduct policy-relevant research on pressing issues of social development.

The UN University (UNU) was established by GA res. 2951 (XXVII)(1972) as an autonomous organ of the General Assembly. The UNU mission is to contribute- through collaborative research research, education and capacity development, and advisory services-to efforts to resolve the pressings global problems of human survival, development and welfare.